Sustainable Tourism
Sustainability at Out to Sea
Stewardship Projects
Marine Debris
As a part of our participation in Whale SENSE, we conduct an annual stewardship project within our community. Our focus since 2021 has been on removing marine debris from our beaches and waters. The most common items collected are plastics, but we also try to remove items like lines and nets whenever possible as they can be detrimental to marine wildlife. In addition to at least one beach cleanup each summer, we also collect marine debris while on tour. If you see your naturalist remove items from the ocean during your trip, just know that we are working to keep the sea plastic free!
Sustainability Policy
Out to Sea Expedition Company was founded on the belief that we can have fun and explore our world while also being good stewards of our environment and our community. We strive to be economically, socially, and environmentally sustainable and avoid creating negative impacts wherever possible.
-We will be wise in our use of natural resources. We will source from fair trade and environmentally conscious companies when available
-We will minimize our contribution to climate change by limiting our greenhouse gas emissions
-We will partner with community and industry organizations
-We will give preference to benefiting the local economy in our hiring and purchasing decisions
-We are committed to giving back to our community through volunteer work
-We will operate our tours in a manner that minimizes disturbance to wildlife and the local environment
-We will provide accurate and factual information about the ecosystem, cultures, and histories of the areas we operate in from a local point of view
-We will financially support the environmental, social, and sustainability efforts of others by contributing a minimum of 1% of gross sales to charitable organizations
Memberships & Certifications
1% for the Planet was founded in 2002 by Yvon Chouinard (founder of Patagonia) and Craig Matthews (founder of Blue Ribbon Flies) with the mission to bring dollars and doers together to accelerate smart environmental giving. As members of 1% for the Planet, we support the research & conservation efforts of Audubon Alaska
Adventure Green Alaska (AGA) is a voluntary certification program of the Alaska Travel Industry Association (ATIA) for sustainable tourism businesses operating in Alaska that meet standards of economic, environmental, and social sustainability.
Whale SENSE is a voluntary education and recognition program offered to commercial whale watching & wildlife viewing companies in the US Atlantic and Alaska Regions. The program is sponsored by NOAA Fisheries and Whale and Dolphin Conservation. Developed in collaboration with the whale watching industry, Whale SENSE recognizes whale watching companies committed to responsible practices.
